2014-07-12 Dunwich Dynamo XXII

Storm chasing all the way to the seaside. Dodged all the heavy rain. Parts of Epping Forest was under several inches of water. Seems that most places we rode through had been drenched not long before we got there. Several Lightning flashes. Rolling mist in the lanes. Riding under the over lapping trees a bat flew in front of me for at least 30 seconds before doubling back. Punctured in the dark, Seemed like 30 mins to change as I couldn't find what caused it. Garmin suggests only 7 mins. 15 mins light rain despite the horrendous forecast. Well done those helping out at Sible.
A great ride, even the half a dozen mini ducklings who looked like they were going to get squished under the wheels of a departing coach survived for another day.

Lovely post, Andrew, captures your impressions very well.

Oh, and I forgot: As I rode out, unfortunately the Epping New Road and Epping Road were closed because of two crashes involving cyclists, the first on the stretch of the A104 between Ranger's Road and the Robion Hood Roundabout, and the second just southwest of Bell Common on the B1393 Epping Road, which the police said was the more serious incident (but that's often a bit Chinese whisper-y). Hope the riders were OK. I'll try to find some details in a minute.

I had to take two diversions, the first being onto Fairmead Road, which I think may have been the old 'main road' to Epping, connecting to the (lower) tea hut, and then via the B172 to Theydon Bois, up Piercing Hill and Theydon Road to get back on the DD route.

and the second just southwest of Bell Common on the B1393 Epping Road, which the police said was the more serious incident (but that's often a bit Chinese whisper-y).

Considering that only the first crash on the Epping New Road made the newspapers, here's hoping that the above was completely wrong.

5 posts in a row including quoting yourself?

You are howradmichello AICMFP

It took me nearly half an hour to post them, what can I do if nobody else is posting? Is anything happening that's preventing people from paying attention to the forum? :)

Sleep mostly

Having now ridden this geared and fixed, with panniers and without, I reckon the perfect bike for riding the DD in the correct spirit would be a single speed tourer.

I'm thinking late 60s GI, racks and guards, drops.

A fixed lo pro is not the perfect bike. I still cannot feel my fingers or genitals.

nah, fixed or gears, deffo. single speed makes little sense IMO

Hit that stupid pothole. Double puncture and a nice flat spot in my 7850s.

Consider myself lucky to stay upright. There was a fella having a terrible time trying to get an ambo out to look at his arm after he'd done exactly the same thing.

Otherwise fantastic, managed to stay dry all the way - not sure how!

Fixed tourer / path racer works very well speaking from personal experience.

1+ did it on the fixed tourer, could not be anymore perfect for the DD.

Which pothole is everyone talking about? it sound like a crater from the description.

So that was pretty fun, especially now I've had a hot bath and a couple of hours sleep too. Started the ride with Clockwise and Yuri but lost CW. Found the ride out initially a bit slow due to the volume but not much you can do except leave early or late. Took a small pelaton on what can be politely described as a detour as followed some random arrows on signposts that actually had nothing to do with the DD. Karma got me back as slid out in a manhole cover when going round a corner. Towards the end having to stop about every 30 to 40 minutes to let some feeling get back to my arse and every time getting to a hill being faster up it than anyone around on gears.

Some memories will be riding along with Yuri, the evil pothole (which did my front and when I was there the chap doing his wrist and another half dozen flats, shaken out water bottles, lights and tyre levers) the countryside and most in dusk/dawn, the lightening in the distance and going past (and stopping for a quick photo) outside the church I got married in.
Also that pint in the Ship went down a treat!

I must admit that I didn't see that pothole at all, even thoughI was riding in the daytime and was looking out for obstacles. Shame that it claimed so many people. Make sure to report it.

Which pothole is everyone talking about? it sound like a crater from the description.

Duck Egg Lane or duck pond lane at about the 45 mile mark. Might be wrong as it is a bit blurry memory wise! Listening to the guys on the phone was frustrating as without a postcode they initially didn't want to send an ambulance but we were in the middle of nowhere.

The pothole was about 2 foot into the road on a fast down hill left hander so people couldn't see it and were hitting at speed

It wasn't crazy deep but had a little gully run in and then a really sharp rim to it.

Duck End?

Which pothole is everyone talking about? it sound like a crater from the description.

^It more or less was... thank you so much to those who were warning others, it was very much appreciated.

Indra- sorry for my total lack of conversation at the beach, I was a bit dazed & confused by then!

Wheee that was fun :) so tired though, don't want to go to work tomorrow..

Hope no-one got caught in the truly biblical downpour and flash floods just north of Ipswich around 4.30? Traffic crawling through several inches of water on the roads, covering the kerb and pavement in places.

Big water filled hole or a storm drain with no cover next to it, too. Dropped my left leg down it pulling Warren's bike out of the road. Hope his hand is Ok, I'll have to chase him up on Facebook.

Potholes are a way of life for us out here in the wilds of Essex. Witnessed a bit of raw urban way of life last night somewhere in east London when a car pulled up alongside my ride buddy and smashed a bottle on the cycle path right in front of him.
Holy shit.

Oh, and I forgot: As I rode out, unfortunately the Epping New Road and Epping Road were closed because of two crashes involving cyclists, the first on the stretch of the A104 between Ranger's Road and the Robion Hood Roundabout, and the second just southwest of Bell Common on the B1393 Epping Road, which the police said was the more serious incident (but that's often a bit Chinese whisper-y). Hope the riders were OK. I'll try to find some

I was just ahead of that first one, I heard this almighty cracking sound like breaking glass and turned around to see someone hitting the deck right in the middle of the bunch. Not sure but guessing from the sound it might Have been someone's frame or stem snapping in half??? Anyone know what happened?

Duck Egg Lane or duck pond lane at about the 45 mile mark.

Duck End?

http://goo.gl/AyDjlk

Right about there I believe. Not sure if it was on the tight left hander, or the mild left after it (northbound) - hard to tell in the dark. Can't see it on streetview.

Probably one of the best rides I've been on, arrived at 4:25 (I think), so much fun along the way, lucky with the rain, we were chasing it all the way to Dunwich where we finally got rained on at the beach, but can't really complain. One of us had a spill along the way but nothing too serious. Big up our group: Caz, Kris, Chung, Mule, Ok123456789 :p, Nabil, Darren (took a Wong turn) and Indreezey

Mrs Hawkes and myself were waving at the Whipps X rbt - and got lots of waves back.
More fun than watching the Tour.
That tall bike...
All those hybrids running 20 psi.
Next year, for sure, possibly.

Another great DD. Had to stick with the slowest in my group so I spent a total of 12 hours in the saddle. I was surprised how comfortable I felt brakeless, though the two guys who told me to get a proper bike can do one!

12 hrs?! Well, well done for enduring it! Do you know who those critics were?

And good on the rest of you - lovely to read the reports on here.